"But still there lived in hiding coldundaunted, Barahir the boldof land bereaved, of lordship shornwho once a prince of Men was bornand now an outlaw lurked and layin the hard heath and woodland grayand with him clung his faithful menbut Beren his son and other ten."

Barahir's Outlaw Band was a group of survivors of the sack of Dorthonion who remained loyal to the exiled Barahir, Lord of Ladros. They numbered ten, plus Barahir and his son Beren. They were betrayed by one of their number in the year 460 of the First Age.

History

During the Dagor Bragollach, in the year 455, Bregolas, the Lord of Ladros, was killed and Dorthonion overrun. His son Barahir "the Bold" escaped the destruction of their lands with his son Beren and a number of companions. He refused to desert the land owned by his fathers, and lived as an outlaw, during which time the servants of Morgoth whittled his band down to only thirteen counting himself.[1]

They made camp in the hidden lake, Tarn Aeluin, and lived in hiding until 460, when Gorlim "the Unhappy" was tricked by Sauron into thinking that his wife Eilinel was still alive. In a vain attempt to save her life he went to the dark servant of Morgoth and betrayed the location of Barahir's camp in return for a promise that he and she would be united and set free. Sauron accepted this information gratefully, and then slew Gorlim, revealing that he had tricked him and Eilinel was dead in truth.[2]

Sauron's orcs entered into Tarn Aeluin and slew all they found, including Barahir. Only Beren escaped the slaughter, for he was out hunting at the time, and, warned by the ghost of Gorlim, returned to find his father and companions all dead. Soon after he fled Dorthonion forever, and it came utterly into darkness.[3]